Shopkeeper loses planning battle

A WARRINGTON shopkeeper has lost a planning battle for permission to extend his property to provide a larger retail store and improved living accommodation for himself and his family.
A Government-appointed inspector has thrown out his appeal against Warrington Borough Council’s decision to refuse planning consent for the extension at the Romas General Store in Thelwall Lane, Latchford.
It is the second time shopkeeper Sellathurai Jeevarajah has appealed against the refusal of permission to extend the corner shop at the junction of Thelwall Lane and Pendlebury Street.
The inspector, Gary Deane, said the proposed development had been carefully designed to reflect the appellant’s wish to expand and improve the retail, storage and living space in the property.
Although the proposals had been scaled down from the earlier plan, they still resulted in a side extension that would be noticeably longer than the main building and the appearance of the extended building would be out of keeping with the host buildi ng and the local area.
Mr Deane said he had seen evidence of water penetration and damp within an existing storeroom and of the cramped living conditions of the appellant’s family. He had some sympathy for the appellant in trying to address the problems through the scheme and also acknowledged they would enable him to better serve the local community, who had supported him through a petition.
However, these matters, taken individually and collectively, did not outweigh the harm the development would cause.